Interview

Interview: Jeff Hoffman (The Disney Legends Awards)

Jeff Hoffman was responsible for the Disney Legends Awards for more than two decades
Jeff Hoffman was responsible for the Disney Legends Awards for more than two decades

Jeff Hoffman’s began his Disney career selling merchandise at Disneyland shop and ultimately becoming vice president of Disney Worldwide Outreach. He was largely responsible for the Disney Legends Awards for more than two decades. (See below for more photos and audio index)

This beautiful Disney Legends Award belongs to animator/Disney attractions writer X Atencio
This beautiful Disney Legends Award belongs to animator/Disney attractions writer X Atencio
Jack Lindquist was Disneyland's marketing genius since 1955 and the first president of Disneyland
Jack Lindquist was Disneyland’s marketing genius since 1955 and the first president of Disneyland
Not even the rain dampened the excitement when Annette Funicello became a Disney Legend
Not even the rain dampened the excitement when Annette Funicello became a Disney Legend
Richard M. & Robert B. Sherman wrote some of Disney's most popular songs such as "It's a Small World" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"
Richard M. & Robert B. Sherman wrote some of Disney’s most popular songs such as “It’s a Small World” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”
The Sherman Brothers handprints after a reporter stepped in it the first time
The Sherman Brothers’ second handprints after a reporter stepped in it the first time
Ollie Johnston, Ward Kimball, Marc Davis, Frank Thomas - the four remaining of the group Walt Disney dubbed his "Nine Old Men"
Ollie Johnston, Ward Kimball, Marc Davis, Frank Thomas – the four remaining of the group Walt Disney dubbed his “Nine Old Men”
Marc Davis' handprints next to Ward Kimball's "six-fingered" handprints gag
Marc Davis’ handprints next to Ward Kimball’s “six-fingered” handprints gag
Peter Ellenshaw painted realistic matte backgronds for films and masterminded special effects in films such as "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" and "Mary Poppins"
Peter Ellenshaw painted realistic matte backgronds for films and masterminded special effects in films such as “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” and “Mary Poppins”
Two onscreen Disney Legends, Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) and Fess Parker (Davy Crockett)
Two onscreen Disney Legends, Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) and Fess Parker (Davy Crockett)
President of Buena Vista Distribution (a division of Disney), Irving Ludwig was key to the successful releases of many Disney films such as "Mary Poppins" and "The Parent Trap"
President of Buena Vista Distribution (a division of Disney), Irving Ludwig was key to the successful releases of many Disney films such as “Mary Poppins” and “The Parent Trap”
Sterling Holloway, the voice of Mr. Stork in "Dumbo," Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland," Winnie the Pooh and much more
Sterling Holloway, the voice of Mr. Stork in “Dumbo,” Cheshire Cat in “Alice in Wonderland,” Winnie the Pooh and much more
Thurl Ravenscroft, Wathel Rogers, Angela Lansbury, Fulton Burley, Betty Taylor, Wally Boag, Dean Jones
Thurl Ravenscroft, Wathel Rogers, Angela Lansbury, Fulton Burley, Betty Taylor, Wally Boag, Dean Jones.  What a thrill it was for to me to instigate the inclusion of Wally, Fulton, Betty and Thurl as Disney Legends

AUDIO INDEX
1:15 The start of the Disney Legends Awards; the first Disney Legend ceremony, Fred MacMurray

6:52 The original committee to choose the Disney Legends; Choosing the term “Disney Legend”

11:43 Continuing the Disney Legends Awards after the Fred MacMurray ceremony; choosing the next Disney Legends; Walt’s “nine old men” honored; Ward Kimball’s “six-fingered” handprints

18:06 Annette Funicello’s handprints in the rain; the Sherman Brothers’ handprints mishap

21:09 The Disney Legends Award statuette; Award sculptor and designer Andrea Favilli; a large scale Award sculpture and the Legends Plaza; the 75th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company; Roy E. Disney’s award